After five years, a 25-year-old man from Ohio who was wanted in connection with the death of a toddler has been arrested in Massachusetts.
Dioblis Williams is charged with the murder of Jamir Jones, a two-year-old boy discovered unresponsive in a bathtub in Columbus, Ohio, in 2020.
The Framingham Police Department (FPD) issued a news release stating that Williams was caught in the downtown area of Framingham on August 27 at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time.
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Williams was wearing a wig when police spotted him, according to police reports.
Officer Andrew Lewis was in the town to attend a meeting with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) regarding their attempt to capture Williams, who was suspected to be in the city.
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According to police, Lewis spotted two people strolling down the sidewalk; one of them “appeared to be wearing a wig.”
“Officers observed the individual and came to the determination that the individual wearing the wig was indeed the male that the USMS and VFAS were intending to arrest,” according to the statement posted on Facebook.
When another officer attempted to stop Williams, he fled across the street. The suspect then slipped and dropped his wig before giving up, according to KOLD News 13.
The site also stated that Williams was believed to be in that area based on his Instagram activity. However, it is unknown why Williams went to Massachusetts.
After being arrested, Williams was booked at the FPD. He was charged with Massachusetts Straight Warrant for Fugitive from Justice and Ohio Warrant for Murder. The suspect has been charged with murder in connection with the toddler’s death.
“That person was in our community and wanted for a pretty horrific crime,” deputy chief Sean Riley told KOLD News 13. “You’ll never replace that 2-year-old, but knowing that that person is now in custody and is going to face a judge or a jury, that’s probably a big relief for them.”
Police first responded to an alleged case of a drowning in 2020, when Williams was watching his girlfriend’s son, according to 10TV.
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According to court documents acquired by the outlet, Williams left the toddler unsupervised in a bathtub, and the youngster was found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy indicated that the boy suffered blunt force trauma to his abdomen as well as bruises to his stomach, head, and neck.
“He was so jolly,” Bernice Anderson Pearson, the victim’s great-grandmother, told KOLD News 13. “He was such a happy baby, and he had the most infectious smile.” She’s been longing for justice for years.
Acting U.S. Marshal Kevin Neal released a statement about Williams’ arrest, saying, “Today’s arrest is a reminder that you can run, but you can’t hide. Mr. Williams thought that he could evade arrest and accountability by hiding in Massachusetts. I hope that today’s arrest brings us one step closer to justice for a young child whose life ended tragically.”
According to the U.S. Marshals Office, Williams will be arraigned in Massachusetts before his extradition to Ohio, where he is accused of evading justice.
